Convertible mast construction



P. F. LEON 2,065,715

CONVERTIBLE MAST CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 9, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec.29, 1936.

Inventor A Homey F Leal/1 3 w Km ,u a 0o. 7/ wa a Dec. 29, 1936. P, .QLEON 2,065,715

CONVERTIBLE MAST CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 9, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Inventor Bym'ozn A Homey Dec. 29, 1936.` R F, LEON 2,065,715

CONVERTIBLE MAST CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 9, 1935 4 Sl'leeiLs-SheieI 5 .l25 ZJ O l' O Z0 Z/ Z0 [9 25 0 0 o s /2 o o 6/ /JJ O 0 Inventor o /5 H y/2 Peaf ff lem &

Ailomey 29, P, F, LEON 2,065,715

CONVERTIBLE MAST CONSTRUCTION Filed Deo. 9, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Inventor A tlorny Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEPeter F. Leon, Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch West Indies Application December9,'1935, Serial No. 53,525`

3 Claims.

This invention relates to an unique mast structure or assemblage which,due to its convertible and versatile characteristics it is referred toin generic language as a convertible mast construction.

By way of introduction, and inasmuch as the inventive conceptioninvolves diversied ideas, I would say that We will hereinafter beconcerned with structural means involving individual but neverthelessproperly coordinated embodiments. One embodiment of thel invention hasto d0 with a more or lesssimple mastl structure-wherein the upperportion is hingedly mounted to permit -it to be folded down to an out ofthe way restful position. A similar embodiment of the invention hasreference to the sectional or foldable mast structure havingincorporated therein a telescoping mast pole with appropriate means forraising and lowering it.

Closely allied with the foregoing adaptations however, is the more orless basic idea which is common to the complete assemblageand whichinvolves the use of a mast construction whose lower section is a rigidlymounted tube, this being adaptable f or use under certain conditions foraerating and Ventilating the bilge of the craft, serving also .as areceptable for the telescopically mounted pole when completely loweredand "further as a special adapter for muiiier equipped exhaust means, asWell as in other ways'to be hereinafter described.

In keeping with my idea to provide a structure susceptible of meetingthe requirements of engineering statistics as well as navalarchitectsspecifications, I have found it expedient and practicable to accomplishwhat I have done through the use of more or less simple andeconomicaleasily procurable parts attainable in the open market, such as forexample standardized pipes, couplings and similar accessories, wherebyto accomplish my primary aim to generally improve upon similar prior artdevices by the adoption of a comparatively simple and economicalarrangement.

It goes without saying that one of the primary objects of the inventionis to prvide a foldable mast susceptible of adequate use on small boatssuch as are used to navigate a channel under bridges, such anarrangement being advantageus when motor-sailers must proceed underpower only-with folded sails, under which conditions the sails arecollapsed to lower the center of gravity to overcome excessive rockingof the cra Other features and 4advantages will become more readilyapparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views? i.

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing theessential sections or portions of the simple foldable mast structurewith the stationary lower part connected with the keel and deckrespectively.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of one of the coupling collars, that is theone xedly attached to the lower stationary tubular section ofthestructure.

shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper relatively movable or hingedlymounted coupling collar connectable with the lower portion of theswingable section of the mast.

Figure 5 is an edge view thereof.

Figure 6 is a detail view of an air intake funnel used in connectionwith my improved ventilating arrangement.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view ofthe attaching 25 collar or ringtherefor.

Figure 8 is a cross section on the line 8--8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a view showing a modication or different embodiment of theinvention wherein 30 the rack and pinion operated xtelescoping form ofthe invention is shown.

' Figure 10 is a view of Figure 9 observing it in a direction from rightto left, the view being turned around at right angles. 35

Figure 11 is a view ,in section and elevation showing a convertiblephase of the invention wherein the lower tube section of the mast isusable, if and when necessary, as a special adapter for a muiilerequipped exhaust set-up.

By way of introduction to the detailed descrip-- tion'I deem itadvisable to point out that the invention is applicable to boats eitherofthe single or double-masted type. By using this duplex mastarrangement it is possible to employ they 45,

nature, I will in placing the reference characters Figure 3 is an edgeview of the construction 15y on the gures use the same numeralsthroughout whether the mast be at the fore or aft portion of the boat.Proceeding with this in mind I call attention first to Figure 1 whereinthe motor compartment or bilge is denoted by the numeral I2.1 The keelor bottom of the bottom is indicated at I3 and the deck, which is ofvsuitable form is indicated at I4. In all forms of the invention therelatively fixed tubular lower sec- 1 tion of the mast construction isdenoted by the numeral I5 and this comprises a tube of suitableproportion and height, the same being fixed as indicated at I6 at itsbottom and extending through and beyond the deck and stabilized uthrough the instrumentality of a collar or ring I1 on the deck. In someinstances that portion of the tube within the compartment I2 is formedwith a multiplicity of Ventilating holes I8 which function, in a mannerhereinafter made clear. On the upper end of the tube is a suitabledetachable collar I9 having an appropriate flange 20, the flange beingformed" on one side with ears 2'I between which a clamping bolt 22 ishingedly mounted.. The clamping bolt is provided with a nut, that is aring nut or thumb nut as indicated at 23. Diametrically opposite tothese features is the hinge lug 24, this being straddled by companionhinging lugs on the collar unit or coupling 21. 'I'hecollar 21 isprovided with keeper ears 28 to accommodate the Abolt and nut so as toclamp the two couplingsv or collars together. in superimposedrelationship u as shown in the drawings when the mast is set up for use.In each instance the swingable c ollar 21 is provided with a socket 29.The socket' description thus far covers the simple foldable mastarrangement depicted in Figurefl. As bel 5 fore stated this arrangementhowever isconvertv iblef That is to say without changing the structureit is possible to use the tube. I5 as ventilata ing means for thecompartment I2. To accompiish this all that is necessary is -tc attachthe .55 air inlet funnel 3|, by. wayof itsapertured collar 'l2 totheapertures 33 of the fixed ange 20l on the collar I9. .f In other wordsreferring to Figure landswinging the foidable .section ofthe mastv ,downit is possible to attach the funnel to the '00 flange 20 so that when'the boat'4 is operating. under .rnotor-v power the incoming airvwill'pass .'fintothe compartment I2 byway of the .ports I iav foreqective. Ventilating purposes. The advantage vofhavingVentilating'meanson saill boatsA 65 is evident --beyond doubt, 4and to utilize a-partN of'a mast structure to accomplish this. is-an'innovation,itis-believed. Y. Referring now` to the telescoping mast constructionemphasized^ in Figures 9 and 10 it lwill than the one indicated at 29and is pro'vided at its upper end with a slotto accommodate af pinion 34mounted on a shaftcarried by a bracket 35 secured to the socket, said-shaftbeing oper- "l5 ated bya hand crank 36.- The' pinion is mani-Vange 25 of the relatively movable or swingablel `be observed that thesocket 29a is slightly longer festly cooperable with rack teeth or slots31 in the ferrule or sleeve 38 on the wooden pole 39. With thisarrangement it is possible to telescope the pole completely down-to thebottom of the boat to cause it to bridge the hinged joint be- 5 tweenthe socket and part I5. 'Ihis will employ i the pole as a reinforcingcore or( filler for these otherwise seemingly fragile tubular parts.Moreover in many instances there will be sufficient height in thecombined features I5 and 29a to 10 allow the pole'ctorbe dropped downsufficiently for bridge clearance purposes. It is evident however, thatthe pole can be lowered into the socket 29a. to the point of the hingeconnection between the parts 29a and I5 and then swung down 15- on thedeck to a folded position by simply releasing the clamping means.

Coming now to Figure 11`I have found it expedient and practical to alsogive the part I5 additional utility. In other Words by putting a .20plug 40 in the lower portion thereof and loading it or charging theportion above it with an asbestos filler 4I it then becomes a specialadapter to accommodate the engine exhaust means. 'I'he engine isindicated at 42 and the valved ex- 25 haust branch 43 passes through anopening drilled or otherwise formed in the part I5 where it connectswith a perpendicular discharge pipe 44 extending up throughv and beyondthe filler.

If desired the arrangement may include a 30 muffler 45 having exhaustorifices 46 and internal baffles 41. The muiller is secured in place byan attaching. pipe 48 connectible to the upper threaded end of theoutlet pipe 44 and provided with a closing base or di'sk 49 fitting into35 the-upper end of the stationary mast tube I5. The idea here is thatin most instances the boat will be provided with' fore and aft mast.constructions. Sometimes it will be necessary to Auseonly the' rearmast-and rather than keep the 40 forward one idle it is possible tosimply charge it with asbestos and use it as a speciall adapter andmounting for the' mufiler equipped vexhaust means. 'I'hisadded utilityfor the part I5 without interfering with the upper hinged .structure 45`is believed to be withinl the rangeof'the single inventive conception.

Not only does the .stationary part I5 serve as an lexhaust pipe adapteras a Ventilating tube Iand mounting for the foidame section or' the .sol

mast, butv it can bev employed under emergency l,conditions as acylinder for removing water from c the compartments.. In'other words byutilizing4 'a makeshlft'plunger (not shown) and reciprocating it in theapertured tube I5 as s hown in A55 Figure 1 an emergency or makeshiftpump canlbe` provided. :g

. By `way of brief summation I would call atten- -tion first to thesimple foldable mast structurev illustrated in Figure l'which haspractical utilityo within itself in thejmanner and for the pur..` posesheretofore described. Secondly I call at- I tention to the adaptabilityof the apertured tube4 I5- to accommodate Vthe funnel 3i to 4serve as aventilator f or themotor compartment I2, this be-.V gli!v 'v ingvcapable of accomplishment lbygsimfply swing-V ingvthe relatively.hinged section.` of ai structure fto the 'dotted line position..-'I'hird' the same basic principle illustrated in Figures 9`a'nd10permit the adoption and use of la telescoping'mast ar- 70 i rangement.With this arrangement the ventilator or anyvof theother specialadaptations could be employed.v `This is also evident from theadvantageous set-up shown in Figure 11 wherein byjsimply swinging theupper part down on the deck and adding the filler and other details itis possible to employ the part I as a special mounting and adapter forthe muiiier construction. Incidentally in this arrangement the valvedbranch 43 permits the exhaust to be carried on up through the muiiier orbe exhausted out in the Water whichever is required by city regulations.Finally,`

as before indicated the tube I5 is used as a temporary part foremergency conditions, that is as the cylinder of the pump.l

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the inventionrelates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the inventionafter considering the description in connection with the drawings.Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming withinthe field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, ifdesired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A foldable mast for a boat comprising a lower stationary tubularsection, an upper relatively movable section hingedly connected to theupper end of said tubular section, fastening means for holding the twosections together in vertical alinement, said upper section including asocket having a crank operated pinion, a pole having a rack equippedsleeve fitted telescopically in said socket and cooperable with saidpinion, said pole being adapted to pass down through the socket and intosaid tubular section to reinforce the parts collectively and to at thesame time lower the pole to a predetermined position.

2. In a foldable mast for a boat, a lower relatively fixed tubular'section provided with venting openings, an upper companion relativelymovable section hingedly connected to the upper end of said stationarytubular section, fastening means for holding the two sections togetherin verti.

cal alignment, said upper section including a socket, a pole receivingsection i'ltting in said socket and said lower tubular section bridgingthe hinged joint between the sections, and manually controlledmechanical means for raising and lowering said pole receivingsectionfsaid means being carried by said upper section.

3. A combination mast and Ventilating structure for a boat having abottom, a deck and an intervening motor compartment; a relatively fixed'tube secured at its lower end to said bottom and extending up throughsaid compartment and through the deck and beyond the deck, said tubehaving ventilation apertures therethrough below said deck, a'collarsecured to the upper end of said tube, a mast accommodating socketdisposed in normal vertical alignment with said tube, a second collarsecured to said socket, said collars being provided with complementa]outstanding abutment and stabilizing iianges hingedly connected togetheron one side and separately connected together on a diametricallyopposite side to -a1low the socket and its collar to be swung atsubstantial right angles to said tube to ex- 1 pose the ange on saidfirst-named collar and leave a ventilation duct to the motorcompartment, said iirst-named collar being provided with means whereby aventilation cowl may be secured thereto when said second-named collar isswung as recited.

` PETER F. LEON.

